Salmon Biology and Interaction with the Environment in Aquaculture

First semester: Introduction to salmon biology and lifecycle part I. Anatomy. Fresh water phase, egg development, hatching and start-feeding. Introduction to recirculation technology and hatchery production including smoltification. An introduction to environmental impacts of salmon farming. Animal welfare including stress. Salmonid nutrition.

Second semester: Introduction to salmon biology and lifecycle part II. Phylogenetic development in fish. Salmonid nutrition. Smoltification, transport, sea-pen farming and slaughter. Aquaculture constructions. Handling and challenges with sea lice and other parasites. Environmental impacts of salmon farming, escapees and genetic interactions on wild salmon strains. Laws and regulations related to salmon farming. Climatic aspects and social sciences related to fish farming.

Knowledge:

• Basic biological knowledge of salmon biology and life cycle.
• Basic knowledge of the industrial and technical operating modes and challenges in commercial farming.
• Basic knowledge of how aquaculture can affect the marine environment.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of sustainable aquaculture and that technology must be compatible with the nutritional and welfare needs of the fish.
• Basal experience in nutrition and nutritional needs in salmonids.
• Good knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and standards related to fish farming processes, fish health, fish welfare, and environmental interactions of farming.

Skills:

• Master biological methods and professional tools for holding and handling salmon at all stages of life.
• Must be able to apply their knowledge to understand and contribute to solutions of biological and operational issues.
• Have knowledge on how to find and apply relevant legislation, regulations, regulations and standards within the management areas of the Directorate of Fisheries, the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
• Be able to reflect independently on academic issues and challenges and work independently in multidisciplinary teams.

Lectures

Practical exercises: first term include handling and work with salmon eggs and start-feeding. Dissection of fish. Practical exercises second term include smoltification, stress and basal blood analysis. Exercises will be summarized in three reports. These will be assessed as 30% of the total grade.

Thematic excursions/projects at commercial aquaculture facilities such as hatcheries, sea-pens and slaughteries. The reports from the excursions will be evaluated as approved/not-approved.